Nik shakes his head and says, “No. No problems with the Sixes. Just with Omarr. He seems to have taken a liking to my Tina. ”
His Tina?! Aww!
Lev puts his hand on Nik’s arm and says kindly, “I know you are not part of our brotherhood anymore, but you will always be our brother. If you need any help, all you need to do is call. We look after our own. ”
Nik pats the Lev’s hand and offers, “The same goes to you, brother. ”
Lev says softly, “Ilia would be proud of what you have become, Nikolai. ”
I notice a flash of pain cross Nik’s face. He covers it quickly, though. Our food has arrived and both men stand. They kiss my hand and tell me it was a pleasure. Then they both kiss and hug Nik.
Nik smiles a small smile my way and we eat our meals. It is hands down the best meal I’ve ever eaten.
Nik ordered the duck for us both. The meat is pink, moist and tasted like oranges, the vegetables are fresh and cooked perfectly and I want to lick the sauce of the plate but I think that would be a faux pas.
We chat about nothing in particular when our desert arrives and I venture into murky water by asking, “Nik, who is Ilia?”
Nik smiles a genuine smile. The first I’ve seen in half an hour.
He responds quietly, “My dad, baby. ”
I
leave it at that because he looks happier now.
And Nik’s happiness is my happiness.
Chapter Nineteen
We are family
Last night with Nik was ah-maze-ing!
The best night I’ve had in years. I can’t actually remember ever having a night like that in my life.
Our evening started at the mansion restaurant which was honestly the best meal I’ve ever eaten followed by a desert of salted praline parfait.
This was not American parfait.
This parfait was a French recipe. There were no layers, it was only one flavor, and it was light and smooth as a cloud. Absolutely delicious. It was like eating a piece of heaven.
Nik seemed a little down after seeing his friends Alexei and Lev. I think the mention of his father brought him down. Even though I want to know more about this I left the subject alone.
When dinner was done I was a little surprised when we ended up back at Nik’s house. But as soon as we walked through the door Nik backed me into the hallway wall and said, “Just us tonight. Ceecee is with Mom and Max is staying with Trick. ”
Oooh, I like this night so much better already.
I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his chin. Even with heels on the man is ridiculously tall.
I whispered, “Can I get a better look at your room?”
He stilled a moment before he picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. I giggled as he stomped towards his room.
I teased, “Hey, this is a three thousand dollar dress, buddy!”
He smacked me on my butt hard and chuckled when I yelped. He replied, “I’ll buy you another. No, I’ll buy you another ten. Quiet, baby!”
But Nik-In-A-Rush changed when he set me down in his room. This was Take-It-Slow-Nik.